Tehachapi News

All > Forum
Community involvement
Topics:
Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 498 times
1 response 0 comments A few weeks ago I asked our readers if they thought 45 mph was a reasonable speed for Red Apple Avenue. Then last week I requested that readers share their concerns about other roads in the Tehachapi area.

The response has been wonderful, indicating that people do care about safety issues.

Following are the letters received on the Red Apple Avenue speed limit issue  and other traffic concerns.

Readers response:
I also have concerns about the speed limit on Red Apple. There have already been several accidents on the curve at Red Apple and Reeves Street. One accident involved a vehicle which went over the embankment at this spot. However, I have greater concerns about the speed limit on Westwood Boulevard, which runs through a residential neighborhood where children play, people walk, and others ride bicycles. I have witnessed drivers using the center left-hand turn lane as a passing lane as they drive 60 mph. These concerns regarding the speed limit on Westwood have been brought to our county supervisor and the county road engineer by me, but there was no interest by either. Isn't it interesting that State Highway 202, a rural road, has a speed limit of 40 mph, yet a residential road through Golden Hills is 45 mph.
— Larry Park

Thank you for focusing attention on a very important problem here in Tehachapi. As a resident along Red Apple Avenue, I agree that the current speed limit of 45 mph along Red Apple is excessive. It is extremely curious that on the other side of Tucker Road, the speed limit drops to 35 mph. While the opening of Red Apple Avenue relieved the congestion on State Route 202, it created a dangerous situation that needs resolution through a reduction in the speed limit. When I spoke before the Kern County Planning Commission at the hearing regarding Red Apple Avenue, and when I met with road engineers and designers at the Kern County Roads Department, the importance of a 35 mph speed limit was stressed. The Tehachapi Unified School District no longer has school bus stops on Red Apple Avenue because the California Highway Patrol (CHP) deems this unsafe. If the distance along Red Apple Avenue is only 1 mile, then a 35 mph speed limit would only cost us all a few seconds more of drive time. This is a small price to pay for our safety!
 — Carl Satton
 Red Apple Protective Association
 

Let me sincerely thank you for bringing this issue to light.I think the Red Apple extension was a great idea but the speed limit and lack of enforcement leaves much to be desired. Simply put, 45 mph is much too fast for this short lane of travel. The curve on the west- bound route is much too tight for the current speed limit. I have been traveling 45 mph on the new road and have been passed twice since its opening. The speed limit should be reduced to 35 mph to coincide with Tehachapi Blvd. Great issue to be discussed.
— John Aguilar
Golden Hills  

I agree, I think 45 mph is too fast for Red Apple. But, the problem is also happening on my residential street. White Pine is a narrow, residential street and the posted speed limit is 40 mph. Cars often race down this street exceeded the already too high speed limit. Mariposa which is twice as wide is 35mph. This doesn't make sense. Thank you.
— Julie Hammer

 I am sorry this is late, but I would like to also express this about Red Apple and Westwood. From what I read in today's paper, many are concerned about the speed. I too live just off of Westwood.  Something that was not addressed in the two emails you printed was the fact about dump trucks and cement trucks.  They come barreling down Westwood at a very dangerous speed. The noise is tremendous that they make. 

Westwood used to be a quiet street that went through Golden Hills. Now it sounds like a freeway. Just two weeks ago, a little dog was killed by a speeding vehicle. 
 I really wish that someone would consider the above facts. It just seems to be an accident waiting to happen.
Thank you for hearing me out.
 — P. Duarte

Editor’s note: Next week, I’ll  publish the rest of the submissions that came in this week on the topic of traffic speed and other traffic issues.

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation